[Guide] Convert Sprint/Boost HTC One A9 to Dev Unlock

[jianC]

There is much confusion regarding whether it is possible to successfully convert Boost Mobile/Sprint HTC One A9 to Unlocked/Developer version.

Many have tried before by changing the MID and CID and flashing the Unlocked/Developer RUU but have had issues with missing IMEI, random reboots, and general instability.

I can confirm that is is actually possible to do the conversion and also fix the missing IMEI/random reboots.

Prerequisites:
S-OFF
Bootloader unlocked
Sim Unlocked (See my post here for free sim unlock method)

What this fixes:
No mobile data (but have voice/sms) on sprint firmware after sim unlock
Missing IMEI/random reboots after Unlocked RUU flash

My device specs:
(bootloader) kernel: lk
(bootloader) product: htc_hiaeul (was previously htc_hiaewhl before conversion)
(bootloader) version: 1.0
(bootloader) max-download-size: 1164800000
(bootloader) slot-count: 0
(bootloader) current-slot:
(bootloader) version-main: 2.18.617.1
(bootloader) boot-mode: download
(bootloader) version-baseband: [email protected] (Sprint radio)
(bootloader) version-bootloader: 1.0.0.0000
(bootloader) mid: 2PQ912000
(bootloader) cid: 11111111

1) Follow this guide here. I flashed the updated Unlocked 2.18.617.1 RUU from here instead of the older RUU linked in the post. The RUU version should not make a significant difference.

2) After the RUU is flashed, the device will reboot. It is optional to wait for the device to finish the initial boot. The device will not be in a usable state as the IMEI will be missing, radio won't work, and have some other critical bugs.

3) Reboot the device into bootloader mode (not download mode!).

4) Download the Sprint radio here (extracted from 1.60.651.4 RUU)

5) Extract radio.img and run

fastboot flash radio radio.img

6) reboot the device. Your sprint/boost mobile a9 should now be working on T-mobile or your GSM carrier. If your carrier bands are supported, you should also be getting 4G.

You may also be able to flash CM14 on your converted a9, but I have not tried it yet.

Have a happy new year!

 

[Mrpoy13]

Followed the instructions up to the radio flash. (bootloader) HOSD CL#680768. FAILED(REMOTE: 35 RU_PARTITION_NOT_SUPPORT radio)..... Any suggestions ?

 

[jianC]

Followed the instructions up to the radio flash. (bootloader) HOSD CL#680768. FAILED(REMOTE: 35 RU_PARTITION_NOT_SUPPORT radio)..... Any suggestions ?

You need to be in bootloader (fastboot) mode, not download mode.

 

[Mrpoy13]

GOT IT ! Thank you so very much ! I have been hoping on this for a year.... Love this phone and didn't want to give up on it.

JianC ... You saved my a9, awesome work ! Its working perfect !

 

[rfjaimes]

data works well over 4g, but I can not make voice calls

Hi, I followed all your steps because initially after unlocking the sim, dont work the network data but the voice and sms works fine on 1.60.651.4

After putting the nougat version (2.18.617.1)
And restoring the radio.img, the data works well over 4g, but I can not make voice calls. Shows network unavailable.

Also in nougat I can not install twrp to be root

My phone is a boost mobile 2PQ93 and I am in an operator that handles band b2.

 

[nonamett]

I can use only 2G on my a9 sprint after flash RUU Nougat 7.0 dev edition and flash Sprint radio

 

[Formedras]

Does this modification break compatibility with Sprint networks?

 

[CRasH180]

Does this modification break compatibility with Sprint networks?

Good question. I would like to convert my phone to the Developer/Unlocked model of the HTC One A9 and am currently on the Sprint network. I would like to know the answer to this as well

 

[gamon92]

Help me, simlock. not working clasic flasher. I up rom 7.0 Unlock good network => down rom 6.0 (sprint) sim lock ->up 7.0 unlock (sim lock)

S-Off
Root
6.0.1 print
Cid: 111111
Mid: 2pq93

 

[weidnerj]

Does this modification break compatibility with Sprint networks?

Got back from HTC an unlocked A9 instead of the Sprint A9 during RMA, and WIFI calling is missing, along with the ability to update the profile. Also the unlocked phone is unmanageable online, have to call Sprint to do anything related to the phone.

 

[Formedras]

Got back from HTC an unlocked A9 instead of the Sprint A9 during RMA, and WIFI calling is missing, along with the ability to update the profile. Also the unlocked phone is unmanageable online, have to call Sprint to do anything related to the phone.

That doesn't say anything, really, since the CDMA A9 is physically different from the GSM versions with regards to the radio.

 

[syntenza]

wanna give it a shot but would like to know if it's possible to reverse back if anything goes wrong? i'm missing the right LTE band here where i live :/
btw @jianC where you already in Nougat firmware before flashing RUU? i see a warning mention on alray's post!

 

[hoang555]

Help me, simlock. not working clasic flasher. I up rom 7.0 Unlock good network => down rom 6.0 (sprint) sim lock ->up 7.0 unlock (sim lock)

S-Off
Root
6.0.1 print
Cid: 111111
Mid: 2pq93

Takes phone to Da Nang, I will unlock the network and fully convert it to Unlocked Edition.
pm if concern

 

[jianC]

wanna give it a shot but would like to know if it's possible to reverse back if anything goes wrong? i'm missing the right LTE band here where i live :/
btw @jianC where you already in Nougat firmware before flashing RUU? i see a warning mention on alray's post!

I cannot guarantee that it is possible to revert. I directly flashed from unlocked Marshmallow firmware to unlocked Nougat firmware.

 

[syntenza]

can i flash from sprint marshmallow to unlocked dev marshmallow? don't wanna try nougat yet.

 

[nonamett]

@jjanC can you extract Sprint radio from Nougat Sprint RUU, thanks!

 

[Zero_Lord]

Im downloading the RUU from the first post but it marks a error "132 Signature wrong" something like that, what I can do?
Also when I flash the RUU from the tutorial thread I got invalid sim message. When I flash the sprint radio I got a ok message but when I reboot I have the same radio. So I don't have any clue...

 

[imtawakkal]

is it just me or even after got sim unlock and reflash radio.img, im just getting 2g networks only? never get the 3g, before the conversion and update, i still can get 3g networks

 

[st40611]

After lots of tweaking around, I finally got it!

The key thing is that radio.img wasn't the only thing needed; radio.img will get you LTE (in the case of T-mobile), but not 3G/WCDMA connections (which is why many people that have no LTE can't even get 3G.)

I ended up doing the following (S-off still of course, and follow all steps instructed in the OP):

1. Download Sprint firmware from here: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=673368273298932288
2. Extract it, and you should see many files, but the key files are: rfg_1.img and rfg_2.img
3. Reboot to bootloader mode
4. fastboot flash rfg_1 rfg_1.img
5. fastboot flash rfg_2 rfg_2.img

See if this works! If not, I did some other steps, but not sure if relevant:
- fastboot erase modemst1
- fastboot erase modemst2
- fastboot erase cradio

 

[sin23]

I want to do this,but i have twrp recovery and android 6.0,1.10.651.1...please someone give me stock recovery for sprint from 1.10.651.1.thx